Vaccination & epidemic

[jinx]

From the Risk and Benefits JAMA article

The theory behind the vaccine is sound: If HPV infection can be prevented, cancer will not occur. But in practice the issue is more complex. First, there are more than 100 different types of HPV and at least 15 of them are oncogenic. The current vaccines target only 2 oncogenic strains: HPV-16 and HPV-18. Second, the relationship between infection at a young age and development of cancer 20 to 40 years later is not known. HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection, with an estimated 79% infection rate over a lifetime5-6 The virus does not appear to be very harmful because almost all HPV infections are cleared by the immune system.7-8 In a few women, infection persists and some women may develop precancerous cervical lesions and eventually cervical cancer. It is currently impossible to predict in which women this will occur and why. Likewise, it is impossible to predict exactly what effect vaccination of young girls and women will have on the incidence of cervical cancer 20 to 40 years from now. The true effect of the vaccine can be determined only through clinical trials and long-term follow-up.

Whether a risk is worth taking depends not only on the absolute risk, but on the relationship between the potential risk and the potential benefit. If the potential benefits are substantial, most individuals would be willing to accept the risks. But the net benefit of the HPV vaccine to a woman is uncertain. Even if persistently infected with HPV, a woman most likely will not develop cancer if she is regularly screened.15 So rationally she should be willing to accept only a small risk of harmful effects from the vaccine.
When weighing evidence about risks and benefits, it is also appropriate to ask who takes the risk, and who gets the benefit. Patients and the public logically expect that only medical and scientific evidence is put on the balance. If other matters weigh in, such as profit for a company or financial or professional gains for physicians or groups of physicians, the balance is easily skewed. The balance will also tilt if the adverse events are not calculated correctly.

Which is what Barbara Loe Fisher was talking about...

[TheMercenary]

The virus does not appear to be very harmful because almost all HPV infections are cleared by the immune system.7-8 In a few women, infection persists and some women may develop precancerous cervical lesions and eventually cervical cancer. It is currently impossible to predict in which women this will occur and why.

This may be true. But current guidelines are that women who develop evidence of abnormal cervical cells, which are then graded in severity, should be treated. This consists of Laser ablation of the cervical cells, or CKC (cold knife cone) bx, or in some cases both. That is why you should get PAP smears yearly. Both of those procedures require anesthesia and should be performed in an OR, unless you are really brave. So we are willing to put you under the knife, or laser, and subject you to an anesthestic for these abnormal cells but we still don't know if you will be one of those who develop cervical cancer. We do 3 or 4 CKC's or Laser Vap of the cervix a week and this is a small but busy practice. 4 or 5 a year come in with near cancerous cells and everyone of these girls is in their 20's or early 30's. The incidence of HPV is common in women in the US, whether or not is causes problems for you is why you get the PAP's (although there are other potential causes of cervical Ca). It is a simple screening tool. Anyone here want to take a chance and just bag it hope that your immune system just catches the bad stuff? I don't think so. This vaccine has the potential to do a lot of good for women's health. It comes down to a personal decision. I think women should be encouraged to get it.

[Clodfobble]

New Research Study Shows Developmental Delays in Monkeys Given Hepatitis B Vaccines

A new research study published today in a leading scientific journal, NeuroToxicology, found that a Hepatitis B vaccine containing the mercury-based preservative thimerosal caused significant delays in the acquisition of critical survival reflexes in newborn rhesus macaque monkeys. In this first-ever study comparing vaccinated animals with unvaccinated controls, thirteen of the animals were given a Hepatitis B vaccine containing a standardized amount of thimerosal to match that given to babies; four received a saline placebo, and three were not given any shots. The unvaccinated animals developed normally. Delays in vaccinated infants involved three critical reflexes associated with feeding, which are essential for survival in the wild.

"Infants of lower birth weight and gestational age were at greater risk" explained Dr. Laura Hewitson of the University of Pittsburgh, one of the principal investigators of the study. "The reflexes affected in this study are controlled by the brainstem, which regulates functions like heart rate, breathing, and intestinal activity, so these findings give us cause for concern, especially for low birth weight and pre-term infants who might be more susceptible to functional brain injury from this vaccine."

According to Hewitson, the study was not designed to determine whether it was the thimerosal preservative or another component of the vaccine that caused the observed delays. Although the FDA and American Academy of Pediatrics recommended in 1999 that thimerosal be removed as soon as possible from vaccines in the US, it is still used as a preservative in flu shots, including the recently licensed H1N1 vaccines. Flu shots are currently recommended for pregnant women and children 6 months of age and older.

Citation:

Delayed Acquisition of Neonatal Reflexes in Newborn Primates Receiving a Thimerosal-Containing Hepatitis B Vaccine: Influence of Gestational Age and Birth Weight.
Hewitson L, Houser LA, Stott C, Sackett G, Tomko JL, Atwood D, Blue L, White ER and Wakefield AJ.
NeuroToxicology, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 30 September 2009. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2009.09.008.

[Clodfobble]

I have just learned something that makes my heart sing.

The above study is only a very small part of a very large study involving many, many monkeys, which will be testing the entirety of the current vaccine schedule both with and without thimerosal (because as the study notes, while thimerosal has been removed from most childhood vaccines in the US, it is still in wide use in developing countries.) Hep B is the shot given on the day of birth, so it's the first part of the study with conclusive results. The rest is coming. Boy, is it ever coming.

[jinx]

Yes, it is.

"Findings suggest that U.S. male neonates vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine had a 3-fold greater risk of ASD; risk was greatest for non-white boys." The authors used U.S. probability samples obtained from National Health Interview Survey 1997-2002 datasets.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-..._b_289288.html

[TheMercenary]

I respect your views but you are not going to win converts by linking Huffington Post to any valid review of any medical issue. Just my 2 cents.

[jinx]

The full manuscript has not been published yet. The abstract is available in the Annals Of Epidemiology, Sept 2009. It costs $36 or so to view it online... I didn't think anyone would bother, but the information is worth noting regardless of your personal politics.

[TheMercenary]

Understood. I may be able to get it for free. Give me a few days and if I get it I may need to send it to you via EM.

[jinx]

Sweet. Thanks.

[TheMercenary]

Damm. Which one is it that you want?

I see a number of linked articles.

Can you send me the links of the ones you want?

Just post them here.

[jinx]

It's just the abstract...

Annals of Epidemiology Sept 2009: 19(9); 659
Hepatitis B Vaccination of Male Neonates and Autism

[TheMercenary]

Got it. Give me till early next week. I have a busy next few days. I promise you a response most likely via pm.

[jinx]

Great, thanks again.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by jinx

Great, thanks again.

I found it but couldn't open it. I will see if we can order it.

I found these and can get these:


Journals / MEDLINE®
Title Citation
1 The clinical content of preconception care: immunizations as part of preconception care. PreviewAbstract Full Text PDF Find Similar Articles MEDLINE® is the source for the citation and abstract of this record Coonrod DV - Am J Obstet Gynecol - 01-DEC-2008; 199(6 Suppl 2): S290-5
2 Mercury exposure and public health. Review PreviewAbstract Full Text PDF Find Similar Articles MEDLINE® is the source for the citation and abstract of this record Clifton JC 2nd - Pediatr Clin North Am - 01-APR-2007; 54(2): 237-69, viii
3 Special immunization considerations of the preterm infant. Review PreviewAbstract CrossRef Find Similar Articles MEDLINE® is the source for the citation and abstract of this record Gad A - J Pediatr Health Care - 01-NOV-2007; 21(6): 385-91
Show All 3 Results

The Clinics
Title Citation
1 Mercury exposure and public health. Review PreviewAbstract Full Text PDF Find Similar Articles MEDLINE® is the source for the citation and abstract of this record Clifton JC 2nd - Pediatr Clin North Am - 01-APR-2007; 54(2): 237-69, viii

the last one is interesting and is about 45 pages long from the Pediatric Clinics of North America. I saved the PDF and can email it to you if you want. Just pm me where I can em a big assed file.

[TheMercenary]

Here are some others from Medscape:

Autism Resource Center
Autism, an early childhood condition characterized by symptoms of abnormal social interaction, communication, or behavior, is one in a group of disorders comprising autism spectrum disease. The causes of autism are unknown. Early signs of autism include unusual responses to environmental stimuli, unusual social interaction, and language delays. Behavioral, educational, and psychological therapies are the most effective autism treatments. Autism awareness and early diagnosis are crucial for effective treatment. Autism Overview
Autism Diagnosis
Autism Treatment
Autism Follow-up
Autism Pictures
Autism CME/CE


Featured Autism Articles
Do Children With Autism Experience High Rates of Gastrointestinal Problems?
A study published in the August 2009 issue of Pediatrics compares the long-term data on children with autism and those without.

Medscape Pediatrics, September 2009
Citalopram Ineffective in Children With Autism
A National Institutes of Health trial has found that citalopram is ineffective in treating repetitive behavior in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health, July 2009
Autism Medication Found to be Ineffectual in Treatment of Autistic Children
In his latest video blog, Dr. Robert Findling reports on a NIH study that finds that citalopram is no better than placebo in treating autistic children with repetitive behavior.

Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health, June 2009
Autism, ADHD, and Medicated Births
Could the extensive use of medication during birth be contributing to the recent increase in developmental disorders?

Medscape Ob/Gyn & Women's Health, May 2009
Can Mirtazapine be Used to Treat OCD Symptoms Associated With Asperger's Syndrome?
Dr. Bethany DiPaula addresses whether Mirtazapine can be effectively used to Asperger's Syndrome patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health, April 2009
Body Expressions of Emotion Do Not Trigger Fear Contagion in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Emotion perception deficits in ASD may be due to compromised processing of the emotional component of observed actions.

Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, March 2009
Mirror Neurons and Their Clinical Relevance
One of the most exciting events in neurosciences over the past few years has been the discovery of a mechanism that unifies action perception and action execution.

Nature Clinical Practice Neurology, January 2009
Advanced Parental Age and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder
What are the effects of maternal and paternal age on risk of autism spectrum disorder?

American Journal of Epidemiology, December 2008
Impact of Innate Immunity in a Subset of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case Control Study
This study assessed whether clinical features of ASD subset are associated with atopy, asthma, food allergy, primary immunodeficiency, or innate immune responses important in viral infections.

Journal of Neuroinflammation, November 2008
Pharmacology and Genetics of Autism: Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment
What is the current state of the molecular genetic causes of autism? How can we extend the pharmacological principles pioneered in fragile X and Rett syndromes to the broader group of autism patients?

Personalized Medicine, November 2008
Autism Spectrum Disorder-associated Biomarkers for Case Evaluation and Management by Clinical Geneticists
The authors provide a brief cataloging of the rapidly emerging, clinically available biomarkers that the clinician can use to evaluate autism spectrum disorders.

Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, November 2008
Autism Spectrum and Psychiatric Comorbidities
What psychiatric conditions occur most often in patients with autism spectrum disorders? In his latest video blog, Dr. Robert Findling discusses the most common presentations.

Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health, September 2008
California Data Do Not Support a Link Between Thimerosal in Vaccines and Autism
A study published in the January 2008 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry looks at California Department of Developmental Services data.

Medscape Pediatrics, August 2008
New Developments in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Eric Hollander, MD, Professor and Chairman of Psychiatry; Director, Seaver and New York Autism Center of Excellence, NY, describes the newest information on autism.

The Medscape Journal of Medicine, June 2008
Abnormal Cerebral Effective Connectivity During Explicit Emotional Processing in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
These study provides evidence that abnormal long-range connectivity between structures of the 'social brain' could explain the socio-emotional troubles that characterize the autistic pathology.

Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, June 2008
Chronic Bacterial and Viral Infections in Neurodegenerative and Neurobehavioral Diseases
Can chronic bacterial or viral infections be a common feature of progressive neurodegenerative and neurobehavioral diseases?

Laboratory Medicine, May 2008
Rett Syndrome: From Recognition to Diagnosis to Intervention
This review details the clinical picture of Rett syndrome and the diagnostic strategies required, explores the critical medical issues and recent advances in molecular neurobiology, and provides an overview of intervention strategies.

Expert Review of Endocrinology and Metabolism, May 2008
Thimerosal in Vaccines: Some Reassuring Data
Whether thimerosal increases prevalence of autism remains controversial even though most vaccines no longer contain this preservative. Has there been a decrease in reported autism since its removal?

Journal Watch, January 2008
Thimerosal in Vaccines and Neuropsychological Outcomes?
A study published in the September 27, 2007 issue of NEJM fails to find a link between prenatal or postnatal thimerosal exposure and neuropsychological functioning in childhood.

Medscape Pediatrics, January 2008
Highlights of the 115th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association
Why is it more difficult to treat anxiety than depression in children? How can you prevent adolescent suicide? What psychosocial interventions are best in later life?

Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health, January 2008
More

Guidelines and Summary Guidelines
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network - Assessment, diagnosis and clinical interventions for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders
American Academy of Neurology - Screening and Diagnosing Children With Autism
American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines - American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines 2007
Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council - Service Guidelines for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder/Pervasive Developmental Disorder (ASD/PDD)
Practice parameter: screening and diagnosis of autism. Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society
Practice parameter: evaluation of the child with global developmental delay: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and The Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society